ODAM has begun research and development into the production of soap that uses the waste glycerine byproduct of the biodiesel fuel production process. They aim to use this glycerine in the establishment of a small-scale soap production facility to be operated by a local women's Self Help Group as part of ODAM 's ongoing commitment to community development and female empowerment.

The soap is intended for marketing and distribution as a Fair Trade product, which is a relatively new concept in Tamil Nadu. ODAM aims to use this project as an example for similar organisations. The Fair Trade ideology will help the future development of these organisations by: bringing them economic solidarity, creating protection in markets between Northern and Southern countries, building sustainable business relationships, creating work places, integrating people in active life without discrimination, developing activity in rural areas, and fighting poverty.

ODAM aims to develop a soap that both maximally utilises the glycerine byproduct for economic gain and is of a high quality up to the standards of the international soap market.  This will be achieved through collaborative research, networking with others in the industry, including commercial businesses and other NGO's, and extensive experimentation. The soap is being developed to incorporate sustainable and locally sourced natural ingredients including vegetable oils, fragrances, colourants, and herbs.

Pictures about Fair Trade Soap Production:

Fair Trade

2nd Fair Trade Workshop

One of the main aims of ODAM is providing better gender equality. Gender discrimination is still rife in India stemming from Hindu religious traditions which places all societal power, in both the private and public sphere, with men.  Issues such as the continuation of the dowry system, and high levels of both domestic violence against women and female infanticide exemplify the tragic consequences which can occur for purely being female.

Violence against women is recognised globally as a violation of women and girls basic human rights to live in safety and free from fear. This is a significant barrier to women and girls achieving their full potential through educational and economic opportunities. Violence prohibits quality of life and experiences of joy.

November 25^th is the international day for the elimination of violence against women and girls. In 2007 ODAM will launch its commitment to the international campaign with a public rally for women from the Self Help Groups across Virudunagar District.

Pictures about Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls :

International Women's Day 30 ...

International Women's Day Inv...

Barathi Girls Hostel

Kutralingam IAS in KGBV ;

Barathi Girls Hostel ;

We need to meet their Food, Accommodation, Dress, Study Materials, 2 Teachers and a cook honorarium, Medical and other expenses.  Our girls expenses met by ODAM. Last year it met by ODAM with the help of volunteers. Major portion has covered by Chris and Tamara; Simon and Ilana from Australia; Meryck and Amanda from UK; Dawn Kane USA.

We need approximately 24 US dollars per month per girl. ODAM expects donation from our previous volunteers and well wishers for our girls study.Friends may utilize PayPal for donation.

Barathi Education Centre ;

KGBV Girls in Madurai

ODAM has facilitated the formation of more than 770 Women’s Self-Help groups working together toward economic and personal achievement. Through a micro-credit framework, ODAM ’s vast SHG network provides more than 12,000 women (and their families) with socio-economic opportunities to better their livelihoods.

ODAM ’s current role in the program is to assist with loan acquisition and repayment, provide organizational support, and provide extensive trainings on small business practices, financial management, leadership, and a series of vocational trainings on art, tailoring, soap making, and so on.  (ODAM 's role will be changing as the SHG program transitions into an autonomous federation over the coming years.)  Most of the groups use their loans to begin their own small business (grocery stores, kitchen shops, tailoring, etc). In addition to providing income support, involvement in the SHGs helps to connect women from remote villages with the larger community and build a stronger sense of self-worth in its members.

Pictures about Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs):

In 2003 ODAM began a campaign to raise awareness of sanitation practices in rural Tamil Nadu. The program offered materials and training to build individual toilets for people’s homes. While these parts of the program are temporarily not running, ODAM continues to operate its Rural Sanitation Mart at its headquarters in Tiruchuli.  The Sanitation Mart sells cleaning supplies and food stuffs to help local families improve their sanitation practices.

Pictures about Rural Sanitation Mart :

Rural Sanitary Mart